Once again, Mr. Wonderful has deliberately ignored the court ordered visitation schedule for Christmas vacation. This year, I am putting my foot down. Now I'm just waiting for the reprisals :(
His unsigned note to me, with the blank part of the paper ripped off (this is exactly how he typed it):
XXXX,
I'LL Be Picking Up Xxx & Xxxxxx On Saturday Dec 18th, We Will be Taking the Kids to Bass Lake For 3 Days.I'll Bring Them Back Home Christmas Day.
You see, last year he scheduled a trip for his wife and himself during his scheduled visitation which was from end of school until Christmas afternoon. When I initially reminded him of the court ordered schedule, he whined that he had already made the reservations....in October! The only reason he was able to have his way was because the youngest one wanted to spend time with him. IIRC, they were back home on the 28th, certainly not when they were supposed to be home. Good thing I was home, and not out of town.
By the time I was finished typing and editing my reply (sent certified with return receipt), I needed an ice scraper for the monitor:
Dear Mr. Xxxxxxx,
This is to inform you that I have received the note you sent yesterday, via Xxxxxx. Your visitation with the children this Christmas starts on the afternoon of Christmas Day, and concludes on New Years Day. In your note you stated that you would pick up the children on December 18, 2004, and return them Christmas Day. This is in violation of the
court order, as was your presumptuous request to change visitation, Christmas 2003.
The rescheduling of the children’s time with you last Christmas was an arbitrary demand on your part. Because your daughter wanted to spend time with you, I agreed to allow the change. In the future, may I suggest that you consult the court ordered visitation schedule in advance, before making reservations. If you are experiencing a problem understanding the court order, please consult an attorney to assist you.
Considering the circumstances, the last several years in particular, I have been extremely cooperative regarding your access to the children on all levels. However, we also make plans, and those plans are made based on the court order. Because of this, please bring the children back New Years Day, and not beforehand like last year.
Have a blessed Christmas,
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Well, maybe I shouldn't have used $20 dollar words like presumptuous or arbitrary. He has managed to find a way to make Christmas hell for the last 26 years. I had hoped that would end along with the marriage. Nope, just gave him even better ways of expressing himself....